2013 fiat 500 Model Overview

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4 of 5

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Today’s focus on economy and ecology is certainly in the minds and hearts of the designers of the 2013 Fiat 500. Although its look and styling seems very similar to the Mini Cooper, its lower price range marks a plus for many value-conscious shoppers. The first impression in most people’s minds when noticing a car of this size is fun. Snappy on the start and easy to park and maneuver, the Fiat 500 makes dream choice for the typical college student or single person on the go. The abundance of trim packages allows consumers to make a statement of personality with this sassy vehicle, instead of just buying another mode of transportation. Returning to the U.S. market as Chrysler’s small car line, the Fiat 500 finds its way into the hearts of American consumers.

New For 2013

The 500 is still a relative newcomer to the U.S., so we don’t expect any big changes for the small car, although new styles are on the way. The diminutive 500 comes in a hatch, convertible, and now the track-ready Abarth. The bigger 500L that appeared at the 2012 Geneva auto show should join the lineup sometime next year and should help Fiat give Mini a run for its money.

Exterior

A college student’s dream of being able to park almost anywhere marks a plus for the 2013 Fiat 500. The vehicle’s total length reaches an astonishing 139.6 inches. City drivers that depend on parking garages and parallel parking spaces enjoy the maneuverability of the 500. Several available trim packages including Pop, Sport, Lounge, Turbo, and Abarth help the Fiat 500 fit the personality of a wide variety of consumers. Fiat offers standard hardtop, hatchback, four-passenger, or intelligent power convertible top body styles. The convertible top has a respectable cycling time of 15 seconds and can be deployed at speeds of up to 60 mph due to a sudden change in weather or other emergency conditions. The aerodynamic planning is smooth and comparable to Reva and other fully electric car designs.

Interior & Cargo

More popular with the small and not with the tall, the interior feels as compact as the outside container suggests. Though more suited for a single person, two adults can sit somewhat comfortably in the front. However rear-seat legroom at less than 32 inches feels cramped at best. Anyone larger than a small child has difficulty getting comfortable in the rear seating area. If more than two people use the vehicle at any given time, a four-door alternative probably suits their situation better. The coupe style has 9.5 cubic feet of interior space with the rear seats down and 26.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up. The convertible has a very limited 5.4 cubic feet of cargo space due to storage for the convertible top. Typical with most new vehicle models, voice activated, hands-free, Blue & Me infotainment systems are available with optional TomTom portable GPS navigation units. As computer memory storage continues to become more compact, USB flash drives are commonplace to most consumers. The 2013 Fiat 500 Eco-Drive System is a two-way system able to upload planned trip details from a computer and download personalized tips for improving driving efficiency to a computer. A variety of information, including carbon dioxide emissions, can be recorded by the Eco-Drive System.

Safety

Compact cars typically do not provide the safest vehicle options. Their design cannot withstand high-speed impacts or rollover situations favorably. In order to combat this deficiency front, knee, side, and side-curtain airbags, along with stability and traction control provide very important features in the 2013 Fiat 500. Tire-pressure monitoring systems and ABS come standard. Hill-start assist comes standard on all trim levels to prevent rollback on particularly steep inclines. Audible rear park assist remains optional on the top-of-the-line Lounge. Voice activated, hands-free, Blue & Me infotainment systems assist drivers by keeping distractions to a minimum. Optional TomTom portable GPS navigation units help drivers and passengers maneuver more safely to their destinations and help route emergency vehicles in case of an accident or mechanical failure.

Driving Experience

Just as expected, the 1.4-liter, four-cylinder, 101-horsepower engine with 98 lb-ft of torque or the 1.4-liter, turbo four-cylinder with 135/160 horsepower, delivering 150/170 lb-ft of torque, seem quite peppy considering they move such a lightweight vehicle. The combination of one of these engine packages and either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission makes a fun combination. For many consumers it does not mark the first choice for their primary vehicle. More likely it will be chosen as an extra vehicle for commuting due to the incredible gas mileage. A whopping 27-31/32-40 mpg/city highway mileage provides enough reason for this small but snappy vehicle to be added to the family lineup. Note that having an automatic transmission slightly decreases the overall fuel economy. Front drive assists with handling, especially in inclement weather, but caution should be taken with such a lightweight vehicle during travel with less-than-perfect road conditions. Overall, the 2013 Fiat 500 makes a more economical choice than the Mini Cooper.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Fiat 500

2013 FIAT 500 Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$16,100

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$9,400

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

2013 FIAT 500 News and Reviews

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